Bader Al-Kharafi
Kuwaiti businessman (born 1977)
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Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi (Arabic: بدر ناصر الخرافي; born 17 August 1977) is a Kuwaiti businessman. He holds the positions of Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer at Zain Group, a telecommunications company based in Kuwait.[1][2][3]
17 August 1977
Bader Al-Kharafi | |
|---|---|
بدر ناصر الخرافي | |
Al-Kharafi in 2017 | |
| Born | Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi 17 August 1977 United Kingdom |
| Education | Kuwait University, London Business School |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Nasser Al-Kharafi |
In 2018, Al-Kharafi was ranked as one of the 100 most influential Arabs list by Arabian Business.[4][5]
Early life and education
Al-Kharafi was born on 17 August 1977. He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kuwait University in 2002. In 2016, he completed his MBA from London Business School.[5]
Career
After graduation, Al-Kharafi joined Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). He joined M.A & Al-Kharafi group in 2002 and started working as a Coordination Engineer.[6] He currently holds senior management positions at Gulf Bank of Kuwait, Foulath Holding, Diamond International Motors, and Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries.[7]
After the death of his father, Nasser Al-Kharafi, Al-Kharafi assumed the directorship of the Al Kharafi groups' executive committee in 2012.[8]
In early 2014, he joined the Middle East Advisory Board of Coutts.[9][10] In the same year, Zain KSA, a subsidiary of Zain Group appointed Al-Kharafi as its Vice Chairman.[11]
In 2017, Al-Kharafi became the CEO of Zain Group, replacing the Scott Gegenheimer.[12]
In February 2019, he became the Chairman of the Board of the Executive Committee and a member of the Board of Nomination and Remuneration Committee of Boursa Kuwait, the country's stock exchange.[13]
In September 2019, BNK Automotive, owned by Al-Kharafi, entered into a new agency agreement with Volvo, making it the exclusive importer of Volvo Cars in Kuwait.[14] In November 2019, Al-Kharafi acquired a controlling interest in Gulf Cable, securing 29 percent of the company's shares in a deal valued at approximately US$500 million.[15][16]
Awards and recognition
- In 2014, Al-Kharafi has been featured in the World's 100 Most Powerful Arabs 2014 by Gulf Business.[3][17]
- In 2015, Al-Kharafi ranked as one of the Most Powerful Young Arabs Under 40 in Arabian Business.[18]
- In 2017 and 2018, Al-Kharafi was listed in the 100 World's Most Influential Arabs feature by Arabian Business.[19][4]
Philanthropy
Al-Kharafi is associated with Kuwait Food Bank which is involved in providing nutritious meals to the poor in Kuwait and creating public awareness on lessening food waste.[20][21] More than 5,700 Kuwaiti families are said to have benefited from this initiative.[22] The food bank also provides skills and training to the members of poor families so that they can find decent employment in Kuwait.[23][24]
Al-Kharafi offers support and guidance to Kuwaiti youth through INJAZ Kuwait.[25] Additionally, he established We Able in the year 2019, a disability inclusion program which aimed to position Zain Group as disbility inclusive.[26][27][28]